Beardsley charged with using racist language by FA
Newcastle announced that Beardsley had left the club on March 6th
Written by Simon Austin — March 22, 2019
FORMER Newcastle Under-23 coach Peter Beardsley has been charged with three counts of using racist language to players by the Football Association.
Newcastle announced that Beardsley had left the club on March 6th - 14 months after allegations of racism and bullying had been made by several of his former players.
The club conducted an internal investigation into the allegations, but the results were never disclosed publicly. The former England forward has denied the claims and is expected to contest the FA charges, which would lead to his case being heard by a three-person independent commission.
Beardsley has been seen regularly at St George’s Park in recent months and recently completed his A Licence.
Kick It Out said it was “concerned” that Newcastle had not been more open about the findings of their investigation and the FA intervened to investigate several complaints.
An FA statement read: “It is alleged Mr Beardsley used abusive and/or insulting words towards Newcastle United FC Under 23 players, which were contrary to FA Rule E3(1), whilst employed as their coach.
“It is further alleged these words also constituted an ‘aggravated breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3(2), as they included reference to ethnic origin and/or colour and/or race and/or nationality.”
The 58-year-old, who, during his second incarnation in the role, had coached Newcastle’s Under-23s since 2009, has until 12 April to respond.
When Beardsley left Newcastle, he issued a statement through his solicitors, which read: “I have always honoured my contractual obligations of confidentiality to the club and maintained my silence, which has in itself been very difficult.”
Newcastle said they were “grateful for the contribution Peter has given over the years as a player, coach and ambassador and we wish him well for the future”.
The Premier League cleared Beardsley of bullying allegations made by three players in 2003 and he moved to an ambassadorial role three years later, before returning to the Academy in his current role in 2009.
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